Stipa munroana

HABIT Perennial. Culms 100–150 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 10 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 30–60 cm long; 5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; nodding; 20–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches 3–4 -nate; 5–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 9–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear, or lanceolate; 7 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear, or lanceolate; 9–9.5 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 8.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 9–10 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column of lemma awn 6.5 mm long; glabrous. Palea 6 mm long; 0.75 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pilose; hairy on back.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4–4.5 mm long; anther tip penicillate. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Bor 1993.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.